I have seen guys use a traffic cone to extend, it is nice to use at the point where the hose enteres the box, it remains flexable. I mounted my vac on the top of my F350, it has been like that for 10 years, I would never do it any other way. We pull an enclosed trailer so I couldnt put it on the hitch, the swing out set up is a pain when dumping. Good luck, keep us posted. We start sucking up leaves this week, Had a small issue with carb on 16 HP Briggs, this gas is awful for small engines. what are you guys using for additives??